Wild Violet
Artist / Performer
Posts: 3,642 
My main instrument is: Symonds OM-14
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Post by Wild Violet on Aug 16, 2015 10:17:27 GMT
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Post by lavaman on Aug 16, 2015 10:40:17 GMT
Hi Lynn
I think you may need some help understanding phantom power. Some microphones, such as condenser mics won't work at all unless you have 48 volt phantom power. If you supply phantom power to a ribbon mic you'll probably damage it.
For busking, I guess you're using a dynamic mic (like a Shure SM58) in which case you don't need phantom power.
If the microphone isn't very loud then it could be that the microphone and amplifier impedances are not matched very well. Before spending any cash, let us know the make and model of both the microphone and amplifier and we might be able to help.
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Wild Violet
Artist / Performer
Posts: 3,642
My main instrument is: Symonds OM-14
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Post by Wild Violet on Aug 16, 2015 11:28:18 GMT
Thanks lavaman!
Amp - Roland AC-33
Mic - SHURE WH20XLR
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Post by lavaman on Aug 16, 2015 14:44:06 GMT
Thanks Lynn
I had a quick look at the specs for the mic and the amp. Both are good quality products and should work together ok.
One thing that is a bit odd, is that normally an amp has a switch to select MIC or LINE input (or separate XLR and Jack inputs for each) and it has its own MIC VOLUME knob to be used in conjuction withe MASTER VOLUME knob. However, with the Roland you select MIC by turning the MIC VOLUME knob up to 11 10. This means that the MASTER VOLUME knob is the only way of controlling the mic volume. That may explain why you're getting the symptoms you describe. Its probably worth taking the amp and mic to the shop and asking them if the amp is behaving as it should.
If you want the mic to be louder you could a battery powered preamp. (BTW, the Roland AC33 doesn't provide phantom power so the preamp will need its own battery power.)
The three preamps you suggested all require mains power so won't be suitable for busking. It may be possible to find a battery powered preamp. I haven't time to look today
regards
Iain
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Wild Violet
Artist / Performer
Posts: 3,642
My main instrument is: Symonds OM-14
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Post by Wild Violet on Aug 16, 2015 14:58:12 GMT
yes that was what I was finding, the mic is turned all the way up and the guitar was on around 2. I have the master volume almost all the way up and the whole set up was not very loud. The whole thing is louder when plugged into the mains but that defeats the idea of it being a busking amp. Do I need a preamp specifically for a mic or will any battery powered preamp do? Thank you so much for your help! I have this for my guitar that I use through the PA, would it possibly work with the mic? I'm kinda afraid to try in case it ruins something... www.fire-eye.com/ |
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Wild Violet
Artist / Performer
Posts: 3,642
My main instrument is: Symonds OM-14
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Post by Wild Violet on Aug 16, 2015 16:00:16 GMT
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Post by lavaman on Aug 16, 2015 16:13:28 GMT
According to the manual, the amp's output is 30 Watts when plugged in the mains but only 20 Watts when running on batteries. It would be better if the preamp is designed for a microphone, but I fear you may not have much choice. Any good with a soldering iron to build your own? Another, but more costly solution is to use a battery powered mixer like this one: www.thomann.de/gb/behringer_xenyx_1002_b.htmIain |
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Wild Violet
Artist / Performer
Posts: 3,642
My main instrument is: Symonds OM-14
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Post by Wild Violet on Aug 16, 2015 16:25:31 GMT
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Post by lavaman on Aug 16, 2015 18:45:46 GMT
Sorry, didn't notice your 3rd and 4th posts before I replied earlier.
The Stage Line MPA will work ok. Its manual says for outdoor use only, so don't busk in the pouring rain.
The Red Eye unit is a really good DI box designed for a guitar. It doesn't have a microphone XLR input and I doubt that its circuit is designed for a microphone
Iain
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Wild Violet
Artist / Performer
Posts: 3,642
My main instrument is: Symonds OM-14
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Post by Wild Violet on Aug 17, 2015 7:31:37 GMT
Thanks again. I think I will go for the Stage Line one unless I can find a cheaper alternative. The mixer looks cool but there are too many knobs and buttons for my liking, I need to keep things as simple as possible!
Busking again today to raise some money to go towards buying it!
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Post by lavaman on Aug 17, 2015 7:35:32 GMT
Glad to help, good luck with today's busking.
Its probably worth have a chat with other buskers - what gear do they use?
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Wild Violet
Artist / Performer
Posts: 3,642
My main instrument is: Symonds OM-14
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Post by Wild Violet on Aug 18, 2015 8:24:23 GMT
I will have to stop and ask the next time I see someone else amplified. We went to Bakewell for the day so I busked in the courtyard area by the main bridge while my husband went off with the kids. There were hundreds of people walking through to get into town and back again to the parking area. There were also a fair amount of people sitting and eating lunch. They were listening and clapping, one elderly man even dropped his crutches and did a little dance. 3 hours later and I had made a disappointing £11.58. Still, it was a beautiful sunny day. I had a great view of the river and got to pet a lot of very cute dogs. I enjoyed the whole thing very much, but it will be awhile before I can afford the preamp at that rate!  |
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Post by ocarolan on Aug 18, 2015 9:48:26 GMT
...............They were listening and clapping, one elderly man even dropped his crutches and did a little dance................. ....can you put that on your publicity blurb....? You obviously also have hidden talent Lynn! Keith |
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Wild Violet
Artist / Performer
Posts: 3,642
My main instrument is: Symonds OM-14
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Post by Wild Violet on Aug 18, 2015 10:48:11 GMT
That's what my husband said... :-)
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Wild Violet
Artist / Performer
Posts: 3,642
My main instrument is: Symonds OM-14
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Post by Wild Violet on Aug 19, 2015 10:30:48 GMT
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) preamp that would boost the signal on the mic? I see ones that say they run on phantom power but the comments about them seem to suggest you need to plug them into mains, so maybe I don't understand what phantom power is. 
) preamp that would boost the signal on the mic? I see ones that say they run on phantom power but the comments about them seem to suggest you need to plug them into mains, so maybe I don't understand what phantom power is. 
Jo whoever he is.
